This season’s budget presentation to the City Council has so far been a cordial, quiet process. Even humdrum. But if any presentation for a city department were to get testy, it would be the one about the plastic bag ban.

That’s what unexpectedly happened on Monday, when Inspectional Services Commissioner William “Buddy” Christopher and the city’s chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, Austin Blackmon, appeared to exhibit some tension — between themselves, and also with a city councilor.

After discussing building regulations, staffing levels, and rodents in the North End, the topic turned to the plastic bag ban that goes into effect at the end of this year. Councilor Matt O’Malley – a lead proponent – appeared surprised that officials are still in planning stages to implement the new ban, which seemed to put Christopher on the defensive.

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“The ordinance did not take in to consideration the process at all,” said Christopher, whose department is in charge of enforcing the ban.

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O’Malley then explained that the ordinance spells out that Blackmon — or, “who ever holds that position” — has the duty to implement the program.

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“If you had problems with the ordinance, there was a whole two year period where you could have weighed in on this, so I’m a little taken back with your tone right now,” O’Malley said.

The exchange ended with O’Malley urging the inspectional services division to finalize plans, “because I am fielding questions right now.” He pointed out the city has not finalized a website announcing the process.